Thermoelectric generator

Abstract

A thermoelectric generator including a plurality of thermoelectric elements placed on substrates, wherein a thermal conductivity of each substrate is defined as: λ S ≥ 9  λ TE  L S L TE Where: λ S =thermal conductivity of each substrate, λ TE =thermal conductivity of each thermoelectric element, L S =thickness of each substrate, L TE =thickness of each thermoelectric element.

1 . A thermoelectric generator comprising:
 a plurality of thermoelectric elements placed on substrates, wherein a thermal conductivity of each substrate is defined as:   
       
         
           
             
               
                 λ 
                 S 
               
               ≥ 
               
                 
                   9 
                    
                   
                     λ 
                     TE 
                   
                    
                   
                     L 
                     S 
                   
                 
                 
                   L 
                   TE 
                 
               
             
           
         
         Where: 
         λ S =thermal conductivity of each substrate, 
         λ TE =thermal conductivity of each thermoelectric element, 
         L S =thickness of each substrate, 
         L TE =thickness of each thermoelectric element. 
       
     
     
         2 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric elements comprise thick film n-type and p-type thermoelectric elements. 
     
     
         3 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric elements each have a thickness of 0.01-1.0 mm 
     
     
         4 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said substrates each have a thickness of 1-20 mm 
     
     
         5 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of layers of said thermoelectric elements connected by electrically and thermally conductive elements. 
     
     
         6 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 5 , wherein the layer adjacent the substrate receives only a portion of the total current passing through said thermoelectric elements. 
     
     
         7 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 5 , wherein the layers have different thicknesses. 
     
     
         8 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said substrate comprises heat transfer fins. 
     
     
         9 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric elements and said substrates are mounted on an electrically conductive folded base. 
     
     
         10 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermoelectric elements are mounted on a porous or perforated substrate. 
     
     
         11 . The thermoelectric generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a phase change material (PCM) is disposed on one side of said thermoelectric elements.